By Michele Robert Poche
May is National Bike Safety Month, and summer is just around the corner. With the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reporting increases in accidents every year, it’s a great time to teach your child the language of the road. Just as the operator of a car uses blinkers, brake lights and other indicators to let fellow motorists know his next move, so must the operator of a bike to protect himself and all others in the area.
KNOW THE SIGNALS!
In addition to hand signals, always follow these basic safety rules:
- Wear a properly-fitted helmet that sits level on top of the head (not rocking forward, backward or side to side).
- Make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street.
- Inspect bike before usage. Is it adjusted to size properly? Are the tires inflated? Do the brakes work?
